23/10/2023
I already knew that breathwork had a positive impact on me, but I wanted to dive deeper and really understand the science behind it. So, I put my nerdy physiology brain to work and started exploring…
I stumbled upon this incredible breathwork instructor course () that delved into respiratory physiology, homeostatic control, hormones, and emotional wellness. Obviously I dived straight in.
Breathwork is about 'bottom-up' regulation, as opposed to mindfulness practices that are 'top down'. As "The Body Keeps the Score" tells us, top-down approaches help us to more closely monitor sensations from the watchtower, while bottom-up helps us to recalibrate the autonomic nervous system.
Now, let's talk about the autonomic nervous system, the one pulling the strings behind our heartbeat, blood pressure, respiration, and digestion. You've heard of "fight or flight," right? It's the work of our the sympathetic branch of our autonomic nervous system, and many of us stay in this mode all too often. Stressful.
And don't get me started on the long-term effects of the stress response system – too much cortisol and stress hormones can wreak havoc on our bodies. We're talking anxiety, depression, digestive issues, sleep problems, and brain fog galore!
When we're in 'fight or flight' mode, we tendto take shallow breaths, depriving our brains of precious oxygen. Essentially, we're telling our bodies that we're in danger, which only fuels anxiety and stress. But here's the good news: by re-educating our breath, we can tap into our parasympathetic nervous system, the 'rest and digest' superhero.
This system helps us step out of our heads and into the moment, promoting better health and overall well-being. It's the system we want to live our daily lives in. Using our breath we can train ourselves to exist in this place more often. In the place that fuels our health, well-being, a clearer mind and happiness.
Ah, and this was me existing in post breathwork bliss in Guatemala. Bliss.
